Employers rank NUS grads No. 10 in global poll

Students at the National University of Singapore campus. The university jumps six spots to be placed 10th in the latest Global University Employability Ranking. It is the only Singapore university in the global top 10 and one of Asia's top two universities for employment.ST FILE PHOTO

It rises six spots, NTU at 73rd place in annual survey of recruiters, international firms' MDs

Graduates from the National University of Singapore (NUS) are among the most employable in the world, a global survey of recruiters published today has confirmed.

NUS has jumped six spots to be placed 10th in the latest Global University Employability Ranking compiled annually by French human resource consultancy Emerging and published by Times Higher Education (THE). It is the only Singapore university in the global top 10, and one of Asia's top two universities for employment.

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) advanced from the 91st to 73rd ranking on the list.

Harvard University was placed first, followed by the California Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Cambridge and Stanford University.

Now in its eighth year, the Global University Employability Ranking measures how sought after a university's graduates are in the job market. The annual global survey was conducted with 7,000 recruiters and managing directors of international companies from 22 countries who cast around 75,000 votes for universities they felt were the best for graduate employability.

Together they represent employers that have recruited more than 250,000 young graduates in the past 12 months.

Mr Simon Baker, THE Data Editor, said although Singapore may have "a small footprint" in the employability ranking, with just two entries, it is "an increasingly deep footprint", with one institution now in the top 10 and the other inside the top 80.

Mr Laurent Dupasquier, managing partner of Paris-based Emerging, said: "Today's digital world makes for a constantly evolving workplace - the skills required in many roles will need regular updating and it has become impossible to determine which of them will change tomorrow, and how.

WELL PREPARED

NUS strives to ensure that our graduates are well prepared for the digital economy, with deep expertise in and across disciplines, core life skills as well as a growth mindset that will position them well for a world of disruption and change.

NUS PRESIDENT TAN ENG CHYE, on how it prepares its graduates.

"While digital skills are increasingly valued by recruiters, more than anything, universities must instil in students the capacity to adapt and keep learning: these will be crucial skills for success not only to cope, but thrive in a transforming workplace. University-industry collaboration will also be of increasing value, in order to provide students with the necessary on-the-ground experience."

Mr Baker added: "By and large, the highest risers are those equipping students with softer skills increasingly favoured among recruiters, such as teamwork - combined with the strongest possible industry experience."

The president of NUS, Professor Tan Eng Chye, said: "NUS strives to ensure that our graduates are well prepared for the digital economy, with deep expertise in and across disciplines, core life skills as well as a growth mindset that will position them well for a world of disruption and change.

"Students could also customise their learning journeys through initiatives that range from global study opportunities, residential living and learning experiences, to industry internships and immersion in entrepreneurial hubs in Asia and beyond."

He added: "We're also the first in the world to enrol our students for 20 years from the point of undergraduate admission. This comprehensive lifelong approach to education enables NUS to be a lifelong learning partner to our graduates as they upskill and reskill in their careers."

An NTU spokesman noted that the university has been investing considerable resources to ensure that its curriculum includes transferable, industry-relevant skills and career preparation to ensure its graduates are well prepared for the global workplace.

The spokesman added: "We have also fostered strong relationships with leading employers, so that students can have valuable opportunities for industry exposure and career preparation - both while they are in university and upon graduation."

The Straits Times

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